The Emery Spartans opened a comfortable lead early in the first quarter and never looked back as they extended the season with a 64-50 win over the Delta Rabbits in the opening round of the 3A State Championship Tournament Tuesday night at the Spartan Center in Castle Dale.
In a matchup between the No. 16 and No. 17 ranked teams in the RPI, the Spartans set the tone early on both sides of the ball. Taking an 18-9 lead into the second quarter, the advantage ballooned to 37-24 as Emery closed the second on a 12-4 run.
“You look at the score and we gave up 50 points. We win games if we can keep our opponent to 50 or less,” said head coach Jeff Cisneros. “I thought we had a good defensive effort tonight and made their looks a bit more difficult in the second half. The guys were talking and working together and that makes a different.”
The Rabbits had three players averaging double-figures entering the game. Emery did a solid job as only Austin Topham got past the 10 point mark, finishing with 17.
Senior Treven Brazier sparked the Emery offense as he connected on 4-of-5 three-point makes in the first half. The consistent shooting continued through the final two quarters as he ended with 18.
Sophomore Brett Rasmussen worked the glass and demanded attention in the paint as he posted a game-high 19 points. As the Spartans utilized Rasmussen regularly, the Rabbits struggled to find an answer besides sending the Emery big man to the foul line.
“It opens everything up and gets our team excited,” Cisneros said when asked about the fast start offensively. “And then we have the presence of Brett (Rasmussen) against a team that has no one who can stop him down low, its big. We go inside, outside and good things happen.”
Riggs Griffin finished with 10 points and Jax Madsen chipped in with nine to complete a well rounded Emery performance.
Already over-matched by the Spartans, the Rabbits were faced with an uphill battle once Topham was forced to leave the game with two first half fouls. During that time Britt Smith carried Delta as he scored seven of his nine before the break.
Tuesday’s win extends the season and puts the Spartans in the second round of the 3A State Tournament. The next task will be a hefty one as Emery will travel to Grantsville to meet the No. 1 ranked Cowboys Friday evening.
“If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best,” said Cisneros in regards to Friday’s game. “They’ve got a good team for a reason, but so do we. If we can go up there and control the tempo of the game, then I like our chances of leaving with a big smile on our face.”
Live coverage of Friday’s game will air on KOAL 107.3 FM and 750 AM beginning at 6:30 p.m.. The live broadcast will also be available at castlecountryradio.com.